Sacred Heart Villa

Pros

• The Sacred Heart staff handled everything efficiently.
• The apartment is designed well.
• The residents are friendly.
• The manager is a good manager.
• Staff are very welcoming and residents are extremely pleasant.
• Ema is energetic and hosts crafts and bingo.
• The facility is a good place to meet residents and friends to play Scrabble.
• Coffee, hot water, and tea are available.
• The environment is very peaceful.
• There is good food at the restaurant and a second-hand store called the Treasure House.
• The property offers 55+ independent living apartments, including studios and one- and two-bedroom units, with a Meals on Wheels dining room on the main floor.
• The facility is clean with good security.
• Residents seem happy.

Cons

• The reviewer waited five months for apartment 217 due to alleged "compliance" and was told that no apartment would be available.
• They allege Lisa Thoms manipulated paperwork and had a personal relationship with colleagues, implying favoritism.
• They claim Home Forward suspended voucher-based rentals for the property, leaving residents without housing.
• They contend Sacred Heart and Guardian Property Management have wronged them and others and are not accountable.
• The reviewer states, "I hope you get fired," directed at Lisa Thoms.
• Andrea the property manager is described as "absolute trash of a human," who throws tantrums, makes threats, and violates personal space.
• The manager is described as moody with varying personalities, with someone suggesting possible antipsychotic drug use.
• Bed bugs were reported, with claims the manager ignored complaints and blamed residents' cleanliness or hoarding.
• Parking is extremely limited, with no lot and minimal street parking, making residents rely on the bus.

Review

Sacred Heart Villa comes across in these accounts as a mixed bag: a place with real appeal for seniors - affordable housing, a well-designed living space, and a community of friendly residents - paired with a spectrum of experiences that range from smooth, well-run operations to ongoing conflicts and concerns about management practices. Several reviewers open with positive notes: the apartment is described as well designed and the building as pleasant, with residents who are welcoming. People mention that living there can be a good fit for the next stage of life, and some report a generally efficient staff and a smooth sense of community, especially for those who value social activities and Meals on Wheels. The sense of safety and security is also highlighted, and a number of residents underscore the presence of a social worker on site and regular activities like crafts, bingo, and potlucks.

On the financial and eligibility front, however, the picture becomes more complicated. A long-standing concern centers on Guardian Property Management, the company alleged to handle the property, and the process surrounding housing vouchers, compliance, and the timing of lease offers. One review tells a harrowing story: approval was obtained, but after five months of waiting for apartment 217, the resident was informed that there would be no apartment after all due to something labeled "compliance." The reviewer asserts repeated misdirections - being told that "it's up to Home Forward" and later hearing that vouchers for the property were suspended - before finally being offered a different unit (216) that also did not come to fruition as hoped. The frustration is palpable, with the reviewer feeling left in limbo and certain claims suggesting improper influence or favoritism.

A particularly charged portion of the narrative accuses Lisa Thoms, a staff member linked to Sacred Heart Villa, of improper connections: described as a roommate and best friend to her boss, the reviewer alleges a close personal relationship that allegedly influenced how paperwork and unit assignments were handled. There are assertions that this relationship shaped decisions, including an attempt to push signing for a unit that did not match the approved unit (217 vs. 216) and claims that the actual tie to the housing process was obscured by shifting explanations about compliance and voucher status. The reviewer contends that the situation damaged trust and left people displaced or uncertain about their housing futures, describing the entire episode as a troubling miscarriage of process.

Other reviewers, while acknowledging the administrative issues raised in that long account, offer a contrasting view of the on-site manager and staff. One commenter asserts that the manager is good, and that most complaints come from residents who refuse to adhere to building rules - such as those related to hoarding and pet waste - portraying a tough but necessary enforcement approach. In this view, the manager is actively addressing hoarders, coordinating outside help, and working to keep the building clean and safe. There's a sense that for some residents, the rules are a fair framework that maintains order and reduces problems, and that those who consistently challenge or resist those rules are the ones who sow discord.

This same set of reviews also captures more alarming, firsthand concerns about the manager's behavior. A larger, unequivocal condemnation appears in a separate post: Andrea, described as the property manager, is called "absolute trash of a human," with explicit accusations of tantrums, threats, and behavior that is said to lack respect for personal space and consent. The reviewer even characterizes Andrea as having a temperament that shifts rapidly, insinuating instability or unpredictability in daily interactions. It's a stark contrast to the more favorable assessments and demonstrates how experiences at the property can diverge dramatically from one resident to the next.

Beyond the governance and incident reports, a portion of the feedback remains warmly positive and service-oriented. Residents talk about practical supports and social structure: meals on wheels, on-site dining, and a welcoming social worker (Ema) who runs crafts and bingo and helps with community-building efforts. There are even mentions of a neighborhood economy within the complex, including a restaurant on the main floor and a second-hand store called the Treasure House, which contribute to a lived-in, community-focused atmosphere. The building is described as peaceful, secure, and clean, and some residents emphasize the social value of gathering spaces for activities like Scrabble and casual meetings with friends.

Parking is a practical footnote in these reviews, with some noting there is no dedicated parking lot and that street parking is limited, which makes it more practical to rely on public transit or bus service. This logistical reality adds another layer to the everyday experience of living there and is weighed against the overall quality of life described by residents who enjoy the social and culinary amenities, the security, and the supportive staff.

In sum, Sacred Heart Villa appears to deliver a meaningful, many-faceted living environment for seniors, especially for those who value an active social life and access to Meals on Wheels and on-site services. Yet it also reveals serious tensions around management practices, especially in relation to voucher processes, compliance, and interpersonal conduct within the management team. For some residents, the staff and programs provide a strong backbone that supports daily life and community engagement; for others, frustrations with bureaucracy, perceived conflicts of interest, and interpersonal issues color their experience and raise questions about accountability and consistency in policy enforcement. The result is a mixed portrait of a place with real strengths and real challenges, where individual experience hinges heavily on how well residents navigate administration, relationships, and the day-to-day routines of living in a 55-plus, independent-living community with supportive services.

This part of Portland, Oregon is a vibrant and convenient neighborhood for senior living. With a variety of pharmacies such as Brooklyn Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Rite Aid within close proximity, residents have easy access to their medication needs. There are also several cafes like Dutch Bros Coffee and Portland Cà Phê where seniors can socialize and enjoy a cup of coffee. Additionally, the area offers a diverse selection of restaurants such as Hopworks Urban Brewery and Salt & Straw for dining out options. For leisurely activities, there are parks like Colonel Summers Park and Terwilliger Playground nearby for relaxing strolls or picnics. In terms of healthcare, hospitals like Portland VA Medical Center and Doernbecher Children's Hospital are readily accessible for any medical emergencies. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living environment with ample amenities and services for seniors to enjoy their golden years comfortably.

Pharmacies

• Brooklyn Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Portland Cà Phê (0.8 miles)
• Coava Coffee Roasters (1.4 miles)
• Keeper Coffee Co. (1.6 miles)
• Common Grounds Coffee House (2.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.2 miles)
• King's Hookah Lounge (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Hopworks Urban Brewery (0.9 miles)
• Upper Left Roasters (1.2 miles)
• Lardo (1.2 miles)
• Salt & Straw (1.3 miles)
• Dough Zone Dumpling House (1.3 miles)
• Kachka Co. (1.5 miles)
• Bluto's (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Colonel Summers Park (1.4 miles)
• Terwilliger Playground (1.5 miles)
• Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park (1.7 miles)
• Sellwood Park (1.9 miles)
• Sellwood Riverfront Park (2.1 miles)
• Laurelhurst Park (2.2 miles)
• Alberta Park (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Portland VA Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Doernbecher Children's Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Shriners Hospitals For Children (1.8 miles)
• Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• Providence Milwaukie Hospital (3.3 miles)
• Legacy Emanuel Childrens Hospital (3.5 miles)
• Randall Children's Hospital (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• Richmond Family Health Center (1.7 miles)
• Sellwood Medical Clinic (2.2 miles)
• Legacy Medical Group (2.8 miles)
• Good Samaritan Building 1 (3.2 miles)
• Legacy Medical Group-Emanuel (3.5 miles)
• Family Medical Group, PC (3.5 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Pioneer Place (2 miles)
• Hollywood Theatre (3.3 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (2.6 miles)
• TriMet Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center (3.2 miles)